JK government to constitute law commission to review 'redundant laws'

The Jammu and Kashmir government said on Sunday it will constitute a law commission to review laws that had become redundant so as to improve the justice delivery system in the state.

After a careful review, the government will ascertain the viability and applicability of laws in the present times and will abrogate obsolete laws, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Haq Khan said while reviewing the performance of Prosecution and Investigation wings of the state here.

"The government is also mulling amendments to some laws based on Law Commission recommendations," he said and sought suggestions from legal experts on the need for amendments in certain criminal laws.

The Minister said suggestions in this regard could be forwarded to the Law Department to help the government improve the state's criminal justice system.

Calling for cooperation between the Prosecution and Investigation wings, the minister said officers of both need to work diligently as they are responsible for providing justice to the aggrieved people.

Khan said coordination between the investigating agencies, forensic and medical experts and prosecutors can lead to foolproof mechanism for establishing the case during trial.

He said joint efforts should be made to fix the loopholes in investigation and prosecution stages so that criminals are not acquitted due to weak investigations.

Expressing concern over shortcomings in drug-related cases, the minister directed law officials to make prosecution's cases strong and foolproof to ensure the criminals do not go scot-free and asked the Director Prosecution to issue guidelines to prosecuting officers to plug the lacunas in such cases.

He directed the Director of Health Services to ensure that medical reports related to criminal cases were provided to investigating team immediately and doctors ensured attendance in court cases to record their statements, whenever required.

--IANS

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